Tent



F. M. DAVIS TENTl 2 sheets-sheet 1V Filed Sept. l2. 1949 Dec. 22, 1953 F. M. DAvls TENT Filed Sept. 12, 1949 2 Sheens-Shee1'I 2 y, e u N Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcEv TENT Floyd M. Davis, LosrAngeles, Calif.

Applicationseptember 12, 1949, Serial'No. 115,283' 91Glain1s. (Cl.135-4) The principal object of my invention is to provide a Wigwam type tent that is easily and quickly extended and collapsed due toa novel arrangement and positioning of the componentl parts thereof that co-act witheac'h otherA so as to make it unnecessary to manually handle and position each individual part.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tent thatwhen collapsed. is formed into a compactv portable unitthatv can be easily and conveniently transported-by hand, in an automobile or the like.

A still further object .of this invention is to provide a tent that is'adiustable in height so as to be capable of useas a chillds play'tent or for camping or the'lke.. A still further object of this invention is to provide a tent that canfbe usedout-oi-doors or indoors, if. desired,.andV thatfin its extended'v or open position .canbe carried or moved without danger of collapsing.

A still further object of; myinvention isto p rovide a collapsible. Wigwam type. tent that is simple in construction, easy to extend and collapse, rigid and sturdy when extended and` durable in use.

A still further objectV of this inventionis to provide a tent thatfis rened in appearance and economical in manufacture.

These and other objects will. ybe apparent. to those skilled. in the art.

My invention consists` in the constructionY arrangement, and combination ofthe-variousfparts ofthe device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed Vout in my claims, and illustrated. in the accompanyingv drawings',in which:

Fig. 1 is av perspeotivefview of this tent with dotted lines' illustrating the interior arrangement of. supporting partsand a cutaway portionshown to more fullyillustrate. oneof` thel pole joints;

Fig. 2 is a. sideview of lthis-tent showing it in a collapsed. position for storage. or transporting;

Fig. 3 is a top vview-.of this tent as shown in Fig.` 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view of one oi the support poles takenirom the lineA fl-lkof Fig. 1.;

'Fig 5 is a front view-of the' upper yportion of this tent in extended position with Var portion of the outer cover cutaway-:to more fully illustrate its construction;l l

Fig. 6 is a front-view ofthe; uppel portion of this` tent in collapsed-position with a portion of the Aouter cover cutayj toy more fully illustrate its conegeetianea arrangement;

Fig. 7 is a vfront view of the locking and alignment ring that is used with this tent; and

Fig. 8 is a top view of the pole alignment rose that is used with this tent.

Tents have long beenV used not only to provide shelter' at times but also as playthings for small children. However, when used for any purpose they are generally needed only for short periods oi time and obviously the less Work involved in transporting, erecting and collapsing them, the more satisfactory' theyare. In my tent I have arranged the various parts so that the tent is ready for instant use rwith a minimum of eiort. My tent can be easily andv quickly openedv by merely pulling two oppositely positionedv poles and this causes .the entire structure to open into place. There are no ropes to tie nor any stakes to drive and consequently none to gather up when the tent iscollapsed. This eliminates the' danger of lostrropes and tent pegs.

This tent can be used for small children indoorsas well as' out-of-doors because it will safely and rigidly lstan'don av rug or floor and no holes are required in thesupporting surface. It is rigid enough when extendedj'so' that it can be safely moved without dangerA of collapsing if desired, when setup either indoors or in the yard. When notin use it takesV avminimum amount of space for storage.

My tent'is adjustable as to height so that'one tent can serve many'purpos'es.

Referring to the drawings I have used the numeral I il to designate what I' have called a pole alignment rosea This rose is a flat horizontal' metal plate and isprovided with a central opening l l and a plurality of spaced apart openings i2 arranged near the periphery thereof, as shown in Fig; 8. The' numeral I3 designates a plurality of elongated pole members that' are vertically positioned. v in close spaced' relation so that the upper portion" ofn each polev extends through and is movable in one of the holes l2 respectively; as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. lThe poles I3 are. adjustable in length by making them in two sections and providing the bottom of the top section and the top of the bottom sections respectively with the tubular casings Hl and I5, asV shown in Fig. 4'. The casing l5 is smaller' in diameter than theoasing Ulv so that; it is slidable within and in frictional. engagementl with the inside o the casing. i4.

On each pole t3 at its lupper portion I secure a staple i6 thatembracestheedge of the rose l0' at each respective hole.v lf2., as shown in Fig. 5. These staples serve to keep'the--poles I3l fromV falling out of the rose. and .they Yshould berslidable 3 about the respective edges of the holes I2 as will later be described in detail.

The numeral I'I designates a recessed portion provided in the inside of each pole I3 below the staples I6, and the numeral I8 designates a rod member secured in each-recess transversely to the longitudinal axis of the respective poles I3, as shown in Fig. 5.

The numeral I9 designates a control rod vertically slidable within the opening I I of the rose I0, as shown in Fig. 5. This rod I9 I have formed from a single strand length and the upper end above the rose I is bent to form an eye 20 which serves as a finger grip means to facilitate the opening and closing of the tent that is later described. The bottom end portion of the control rod I9 is bent at right angles to the main rod length and then is further bent to form an eye or spider body 2I which is at substantially right angles to and at the bottom of the main rod .length I9, as shown in Fig. 5.

The numeral 22 designates a plurality of rod .length members with each respective length having an eye on each respective end thereof to form what I have called the spider legs. One end of each spider leg respectively is movably arranged on the spider body 2l and the other end of each vrespective leg is movably arranged on one of the rod members I8 in one of the poles I3, as shown in Fig. 5.

A locking link and alignment ring 23 is arranged on the upper portion of the central rod I9 between the top of the rose I0 and the bottom of the eye 20. This link I make from a single rod length that is bent to form the two vertically spaced apart eyes 24 and 25 and the upper ring portion 26, as shown in Fig. 7. This link 23 is positioned as above described so that the control rod I9 passes through the eyes 24 and 25 and the upper eye 24 is capable of serving as a stop at times to prevent the downwardly movement of the control rod I9. The ring portion 26 is positioned so that the upper end portions of the poles I3 surround it when the tent is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 6. When the tent is being extended the ring 26 serves as a stop and guide means to prevent the upper portions of the poles I3 from getting crossed and inter-tangled, thus insuring their travel to their proper position, as shown in Fig. 3. The numeral 21 designates a notch cut in each of the poles I3 downwardly from the respective recess portion I'I, as shown in Fig. 4. The numeral 28 designates a resilient rod spreader ring.

The numeral 29 designates an outer covering provided with a flap opening 30 and is designed to surround the poles I3 in the shape of a wigwam, as shown in Fig. l. The cover 29 extends from the bottom of each respective pole I3 to, but short of, the rose I0 and is secured to the poles at its top and bottom portions respectively by any suitable means such as the snaps 3| or the like. to the bottom portion of the cover 29, as shown in Fig. 2 to prevent the poles I3 from extending when the tent is collapsed. Likewise, if desired, a snap fastener may be placed on the flap 3B and cover 29 to prevent the flap 30 from accidentally closing. A suitable hood or cap portion can also be placed over the top portion of the poles i3 when the tent is extended if inclement weather or otherwise should make it desirable.

The numeral 33 designates a screw anchor member secured to one end of a rope length 3Q,

A snap fastener and strap 32 is secured i that is used for anchoring the tent in a high wind, a storm or the like.

This tent when constructed and arranged as described will operate in the following manner: The closed or collapsed position of this tent is illustrated in Fig. 6. To extend or open it, it is placed in a vertical position with the bottom of the poles I3 resting on the supporting surface. Then any two opposite poles I3 are manually pulled apart and this will force out the other poles due to the arrangement of the spider body 2I and spider legs 22. As this occurs the top portions of the poles will be in motion and the ring 26 serves to prevent them from getting crossed, as previously described.

With the poles in `extended or open position the control rod I3 is manually pushed downwardly by use offthe eye grip member 26 until its downward movement is stopped by the eye 2li in the link 23. In this position the spider body 2l will be slightly below the dead center line of the spider legs and the tent will be locked in place due to the triangles formed by the respective poles I3, spider' legs 2I and the control rod I9, as shown in Fig. 5.

When the tent is being opened there is a slight turning action by the poles I3 and the staples I6 in the poles I3 will freely move with the poles without danger of being pulled out.

If the poles are to be adjusted to their greatest length it is merely necessary to unsnap the cover and make the desired adjustment and when the longer pole length is used, it has been found that an additional pole support is preferable to insure a rigid support for the lower portion of the tent. This I have providedby the resilient spreader ring 2S that is positioned after the tent is erected. This ring is placed inside the tent so that a portion of the ring rests in the notch 2l in each pole and exerts an outwardly force thereon.

To collapse the tent, the ring 23, if used, is rst removed. YThe control rod I9 is pulled upwardly vuntil the spider body is above the dead center point ofthe spider legs and the poles are pulled in to their vertical position. The strap 32 is secured around the bottom of the tent and snapped and the tent is ready for transporting or storage.

If the tent is used as a childs play tent, any danger to scratching orV marring iloors when the tent is opened indoors can be avoided by inverting it, holding to the nearest pole and in this position it will open and lock by its own weight on the control rod. Y

To secure the tent in a high wind, storm or the like, the anchor 33 is screwed into the ground in the center ofthe tent and the free end of the rope 34 is secured to the spider body, as shown in Fig. 1.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my tent without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may beV reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

l. In a device of the classdescribed, a horizontal plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a means for adjusting the length of each of said poles, atrod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an veye on its top end and bent at its assente botten 'enero 'form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having 'an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a stop member to limit the vertical movement of said rst mentioned rod, -a guide means arranged on said rstmentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed when said poles are radially extended, a 'resilient ring member designed to engage each respective pole to hold 'them in spaced'ap'art relation, an anchor means capable of being secured to a supporting surfa'ce and a tent` cover detachably secured to said pole members.

2. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided With an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a guide means arranged on said rst mentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed when said poles are being radially extended, and a tent cover detachably secured to said pole members.

3. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a resilient ring member designed to engage each respective pole to hold them in spaced apart relation, and a tent cover detachably secured to said pole members.

4. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided With a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a stop member to limit the vertical movement of said rst mentioned rod, a guide means on said stop member arranged on said rst mentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed when said poles are being radially extended, and a tent cover detachably secured to said pole members.

5. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one CII of lsaid openingsl and- -movablyf secured therein,v a rod member 'vertically-slidable in one of said openings: said rod provided with an eye on its to'p end land bent at its Ybottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each endthereof; said 'last mentioned rods respectively movably. secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to onev of "said poles, a stop member to limit the vertical movement of said rst mentioned rod, a resilient 'ring member designed to engage each Arespective pole to A'hold them in spaced 'apart relation, land a tent cover detachablyy secured tosaid .pole members.

6. In a deviceof the class described, a plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a guide means arranged on said rst mentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed when said poles are being radially extended, a resilient ring member designed to engage each respective pole to hold them in spaced apart relation, and a tent cover detachably secured to said pole members.

7. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided With a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a means for adjusting the length of each of said poles, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, a stop member to limit the vertical movement of said rst mentioned rod, a guide means on said stop member arranged on said rst mentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed when said poles are being radially extended, and a tent cover detachably secured to said pole members.

8. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, and a guide means arranged on said rst mentioned rod above the said plate member and designed to prevent said poles from becoming crossed When said poles are being radially extended.

9. In a device of the class described, a plate member provided with a. plurality of openings, a

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plurality of pole members each having the upper end portion thereof 'extending up through one of said openings and movably secured therein, a rod member vertically slidable in one of said openings; said rod provided with an eye on its top end and bent at its bottom end to form a ring portion, a plurality of rod lengths each having an eye on each end thereof; said last mentioned rods respectively movably secured at one end to said ring portion and at the other ends respectively to one of said poles, and a resilient ring member designed to engage each respective pole to hold them in spaced apart relation.

FLOYD M. DAVIS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Campbell Sept. 29, 1914 Crozier Feb. 22, 1916 Dale Oct. 19, 1920 Smith Apr. 14, 1931 Valasek Mar. 26, 1935 Guenzl June 20, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 3, 1905 Great Britain Feb. 20, 1936 

